Roofing Using Half Tab Method

Three tab shingles are most typically installed with a half tab offset that yields the characteristic brickwork appearance.

Roofing using half tab method.

For a racking or midroof pyramid layout method snap two vertical lines called bond lines near the center of the roof the appropriate distance apart. Mark the center of each section and use a compass to mark 30 degree angles along the sides of each. The cut outs separating the shingle tabs line up every other course. This article discusses best roofing practices for the installation of asphalt roof shingles including installation temperature shingle sealing methods shingle course offsets asphalt shingle nailing location and specifications low slope and steep slope limits for asphalt shingles and roof flashing at building eaves and around skylights.

Set the first shingle of the second row back a half tab 6 inches 17 centimeters from the edge of first shingle on the first row and so that the bottom of its tabs just touches the tops of the cutout slots on the shingle below. The simplest way to do this is to use the half tab offset method. It s better to use the factory edges of a half sheet of plywood as a guide. Use a heavy duty utility knife to separate the shingles into thirds by cutting them at each tab.